Reminiscing with Noble Sissle and Eubie Blake

by Robert Kimball, William Bolcom

Based on extensive interviews, Reminiscing with Noble Sissle and Eubie Blake recounts the lives and music of singer-lyricist-band leader Noble Sissle (1889-1975) and ragtime-composer Eubie Blake (1883-1983).Their 57-year partnership began in 1915, when Broadway beckoned with a wealth of theater companies performed vaudeville, revue, musical comedy, and operetta to enthusiastic audiences. This book captures all the optimism and vibrancy of early twentieth-century black performers and musicians. In 1921, Sissle and Blake's breakthrough musical, Shuffle Along brought authentic ragtime and jazz dancing to the Broadway for the first time—-a combination that opened up new avenues in musical theater for black and white performers alike.

Richly illustrated with a rare collection of photographs, theater posters, playbills, sheet music, and reviews, Reminiscing with Noble Sissle and Eubie Blake recreates an unforgettable era in musical theater.

Genres: Music

256 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2000

About the author

Robert Kimball (1939-) is a musical theatre historian and critic.

Kimball was educated at Yale College and Yale Law School and has been the music critic of the New York Post. He is the co-author or editor of several books on musical theatre.

Kimball was one of the four participants who hammered out a bipartisan compromise in October 1963 that helped lead to the passage of the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Reviews

[Djll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful, wonderful! The true story of American blacks on Broadway and the Harlem Renaissance.

[Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! My Grandmother and Grandfather were there for this!